Abstract:The new DD grade is frequently observed and has a prognosis similar to that of the pseudonormal group but significantly worse than that of the impaired relaxation group. However, LA booster function was maintained at the expense of LA volume enlargement. Thus, the new grade should be a distinct entity for routine DD grading.
“…Also, an E/A ratio in the range of 1.5–2.0 is not covered in the algorithm, leading to unfeasibility to qualify some patients. In more recent studies, E/A ratio >1.5 was used as an indicator of stage III diastolic dysfunction [ 9 , 10 ].…”
The American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Echocardiography (ASE/EAE) have published an algorithm for the grading of diastolic function. However, the ability to use this algorithm effectively in daily clinical practice has not been investigated. We hypothesized that in some patients it may be difficult to grade diastolic dysfunction with this scheme, since there may be discrepancies in the assessed parameters. The aim of the current study was to test the feasibility of the ASE/EAE algorithm and to compare this with a new Thoraxcenter (TXC) algorithm. The ASE/EAE and TXC algorithms were applied to 200 patients. The ASE/EAE algorithm starts with assessment of diastolic myocardial wall velocities and left atrial (LA) volumes with subsequent assessment of E/A ratio, E-wave deceleration time and pulmonary venous flow. The TXC algorithm reverses these steps, uses LA dimension instead of volume and does not include a Valsalva manoeuvre and pulmonary venous flow. Due to inconsistencies between diastolic myocardial wall velocities and LA volumes and a not covered E/A ratio in the range of 1.5–2 it was not possible to classify 48 % of patients with the ASE/EAE algorithm, as opposed to only 10 % by the TXC algorithm. LA volume was always needed in the ASE/EAE algorithm. In only 64 % of patients LA size was necessary by the TXC algorithm. When LA volume would have been used instead of LA dimension, grading of LV diastolic function would have been different in only 2 % of patients without apparent improvement. Assessment of LA dimension was considerably faster than LA volume. The TXC algorithm to grade LV diastolic dysfunction was compared to the ASE/EAE algorithm simpler, faster, better reproducible and yields a higher diagnostic outcome.
“…Also, an E/A ratio in the range of 1.5–2.0 is not covered in the algorithm, leading to unfeasibility to qualify some patients. In more recent studies, E/A ratio >1.5 was used as an indicator of stage III diastolic dysfunction [ 9 , 10 ].…”
The American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Echocardiography (ASE/EAE) have published an algorithm for the grading of diastolic function. However, the ability to use this algorithm effectively in daily clinical practice has not been investigated. We hypothesized that in some patients it may be difficult to grade diastolic dysfunction with this scheme, since there may be discrepancies in the assessed parameters. The aim of the current study was to test the feasibility of the ASE/EAE algorithm and to compare this with a new Thoraxcenter (TXC) algorithm. The ASE/EAE and TXC algorithms were applied to 200 patients. The ASE/EAE algorithm starts with assessment of diastolic myocardial wall velocities and left atrial (LA) volumes with subsequent assessment of E/A ratio, E-wave deceleration time and pulmonary venous flow. The TXC algorithm reverses these steps, uses LA dimension instead of volume and does not include a Valsalva manoeuvre and pulmonary venous flow. Due to inconsistencies between diastolic myocardial wall velocities and LA volumes and a not covered E/A ratio in the range of 1.5–2 it was not possible to classify 48 % of patients with the ASE/EAE algorithm, as opposed to only 10 % by the TXC algorithm. LA volume was always needed in the ASE/EAE algorithm. In only 64 % of patients LA size was necessary by the TXC algorithm. When LA volume would have been used instead of LA dimension, grading of LV diastolic function would have been different in only 2 % of patients without apparent improvement. Assessment of LA dimension was considerably faster than LA volume. The TXC algorithm to grade LV diastolic dysfunction was compared to the ASE/EAE algorithm simpler, faster, better reproducible and yields a higher diagnostic outcome.
“…2 ). Eight patients, who could not be unequivocally classified with current DD grading system, were re-analyzed and attributed to a specific grade according to the recent proposal of Kuway et al [ 9 ]. Fig.…”
BackgroundHeart failure (HF) epidemic has increased need for accurate diastolic dysfunction (DD) quantitation. Cardiac MRI can elucidate left atrial (LA) phasic function, and accurately quantify its conduit contribution to left ventricular (LV) filling, but has limited availability. We hypothesized that the percentage of LV stroke volume due to atrial conduit volume (LACV), as assessed using 3D-echocardiography, can differentiate among progressive degrees of DD in HF patients.Methods and resultsSixty-three subjects (66 ± 12 years) with DD and ejection fraction (EF) ranging 14–62 % underwent full-volume 3D-echocardiography. Simultaneous LA and LV volume curves as function of time (t) were calculated, with LACV as , expressed as % of stroke volume. Patients were assigned to four (0–3, from none to severe) DD grades, according to classical Doppler parameters. In this population DD is linked to LACV, with progressively higher percentages of conduit contribution to stroke volume associated with higher degrees of DD (p = 0.0007). Patients were then dichotomized into no-mild (n = 26) or severe (n = 37) DD groups. Apart from atrial volume, larger (p < 0.02) in severe DD group, no differences between groups were found for LV diastolic and stroke volume, EF, mass and flow propagation velocity. However, a significant difference was found for LACV expressed as % of LV stroke volume (29 ± 15 vs. 43 ± 23 %, p = 0.016).ConclusionsOur study confirms that LACV contribution to stroke volume increases along with worsening DD, as assessed in the context of (near) constant-volume four-chamber heart physiology. Thus, LACV can serve as new parameter for DD grading severity in HF patients.
“…All Doppler measurements were averaged from 3 consecutive beats. The diastolic dysfunction grade was categorized according to the method by Kuwaki et al 17 Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure was calculated by sum of the transtricuspid pressure gradient using the modified Bernoulli equation and estimated right atrial pressure according to inferior vena cava dimensions and respiratory variations.…”
Section: Assessment Of LV Diastolic Functionmentioning
R ight ventricular (RV) function is closely coupled with subsequent morbidity and mortality in patients with diseases affecting the right heart chambers. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The most common cause of RV dysfunction is chronic left-sided heart failure. Complex factors such as pulmonary hypertension, intrinsic myocardial involvement, ventricular interdependence, and myocardial ischemia lead to RV dysfunction. 1 Therefore, assessment of RV function is clinically important in almost all patients with heart disease. However, the complex geometry of the RV poses a significant limitation to the reliable quantitation of RV volumes and ejection fraction (RVEF) using 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Although cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the gold standard for the evaluation of RV volumes and RVEF, 8,9 factors such as cost, portability, time consumption, and contraindications hinder its routine use in every patient. Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) has the advantage of full-volume acquisition of the entire right ventricle, which may overcome the technical and clinical limitations of 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. [10][11][12] Recent studies have validated the accuracy of 3DTTE-determined RV volumes and RVEF against CMR 13,14 and determined the reference values of RV volumes and RVEF in healthy subjects. 15,16 However, the prognostic value of RVEF is largely unknown. We hypothesized that RVEF assessed by 3DTTE (3DRVEF) would offer incremental value over left ventricular (LV) functional parameters for predicting future cardiac events.
See Editorial by Fernández-Golfín and Zamorano See Clinical PerspectiveAccordingly, the aims of this study were (1) to validate the accuracy of 3DTTE-determined RV volumes and RVEF against CMR reference and (2) to evaluate the prognostic value of 3DRVEF to predict future cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in a large number of patients.Background-Cardiac magnetic resonance is the gold standard for the evaluation of right ventricular (RV) volumes, but it is impractical to perform in every patient. Although reference values of RV volumes and RV ejection fraction by 3D transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) have been established, their prognostic values have not been elucidated yet. We hypothesized that RV ejection fraction measured by 3DTTE (3DRVEF) predicts future cardiovascular events. Methods and Results-In protocol 1, we determined the accuracy of RV volumes and RV ejection fraction measurements by 3DTTE against cardiac magnetic resonance in 60 subjects. In protocol 2, 3DRVEF was measured in 446 patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Study subjects were followed up to record cardiac death and major adverse cardiovascular events. In protocol 1, 3DTTE-determined RV end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and RV ejection fraction had good correlations to those by cardiac magnetic resonance (r=0.74-0.90). In protocol 2, 38 cardiac deaths and 88 major adverse cardiovascular events occurred during a med...
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